USA > Pennsylvania > Lebanon County > Biographical annals of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical sketches of prominent men and representative citizens and of the early settled families > Part 5
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Michael Witmer, father of our subject, was born in South Lebanon township, Lebanon county, January 13. 1796, and died December 31, 1877.
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He married, in April, 1821, Anna Burkholder, of South Annville township, who was born June 25, 1797, and died April 25, 1869, their children being : Abraham, born February 10, 1822; Peter B., born October 25, 1823: Rosanna, born October 1. 1825: Anna, born October 6. 1827: Maria, born December 24, 1829; Jeremiah, born December 19, 1832 ; Uriah, born Novem- ber 6, 1834: John B., born April 1, 1838; and Michael, born September 15, 1842.
The early life of Peter B. Witmer was spent on the farm. At the age of seventeen years he entered a private school at Columbia, Lancaster county, Pa., and later attended Fairview Academy in Adams county, Pa. When nineteen years old he became a pupil at Mount St. Mary's College. Emmits- burg, Md., and later entered Princeton College (now Princeton University). He received his degree, A. M., from Franklin and Marshall College, and began teaching independently August 3, 1846, in Lebanon county, and subse- quently in Bernville, Berks county, after which he removed to Annville. Later he removed to Myerstown, remaining seven years in the latter town, removing to Palmyra in 1857 and there founding a select boarding school, which was known as the Palmyra Academy, which he conducted until 1894, when the school was abandoned. His death occurred September 11, 1899.
Mr. Witmer married, in May, 1850, Mary Ann Bachman, who was born January 29, 1829, in South Annville township, Lebanon county. Their chil- dren are: Rose; Anna; John B., who died July 6, 1901, was an attorney ; Emma J. married Dr. H. B. Felty, now of Abilene, Kans. : Charles K. : Peter B. ; also four others, who are deceased.
John B. Witmer was born in Palmyra October 3, 1857, and was educated at the Palmyra Academy and Mt. St. Mary's College, Md., graduating from the latter place in 1877. He spent several years in teaching in the Palmyra Academy. He read law in the office of the late Grant Weidman. Sr., of Lebanon, and was admitted to the Lebanon County Bar in 1882, practicing until his death.
CHARLES KILLINGER WITMER was born in Palmyra January 18. 1867. He was educated at the Palmyra Academy under his father, and at Franklin and Marshall College, graduating from there in 1888. He taught in the Palmyra Academy for one year, following which he was for a year principal of the grammar school department of Waynesboro, Pa. He next became instructor in science in the Hannibal (Mo.) high school. for three years, and then became principal of the Lebanon high school, continuing in that position for eight years, resigning in 1901 to enter the Law Department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania. He is at present completing his course in the Law Department of Yale University.
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Peter B. Witmer, Jr., M. D., graduated from Franklin and Marshall College in 1892, Jefferson Medical College in 1896, was connected with the Methodist Episcopal hospital of Philadelphia for eighteen months as resident physician, and then went to Abilene, Kansas, where he commenced the practice of medicine with his brother-in-law, Dr. Felty.
ADAM RISE, late president of the Valley National Bank, and senior member of the general hat firm at No. 831 Cumberland street, Lebanon, was at his death by far the oldest native Lebanon citizen, having attained the advanced age of eighty-four years. For over seventy years, either as assistant or business manager, he was connected with the hat business, and was one of the most reliable dealers in that line in his vicinity. He might almost be said to have been born to the work. His father, Adam Rise, Sr., was a hatter and followed that trade in Lebanon for many years. Among the old settlers he was one of the most highly honored and respected citizens of the place. He married Catherine Gessman, and by her had five children : Samuel, Henry, Mariah, Adam and John, all of whom are deceased.
Adam Rise was born in Lebanon, Pa., August 6, 1818, and there grew to manhood. In the public schools of his city he acquired an education suf- ficient for all ordinary business purposes, and at the age of twelve began learning the hatter's trade. As the work proved to be in line with his natural bent he progressed rapidly, and in the course of time opened the general hat store on Cumberland street, with which he was connected up to the time of his death, which occurred June 3, 1903.
On January 27, 1839, Mr. Rise married Rebecca Louser, who was born October 16, 1818, daughter of Jacob and Mary Louser, pioneer citizens of Lebanon. Mrs. Rise was an admirable helpmeet for nearly sixty-three years, and she died December 9, 1901. Of this union there were four children : Mariah, who never married, kept house for her father; Jacob L. is mentioned below; Catherine S. is deceased; and Eliza R. is the wife of C. M. Bowman.
Mr. Rise possessed all the requisites for a successful merchant, and from time to time enlarged his stock of hats. Finally as his trade increased he received his son, Jacob L., as a partner. The profits from his business he wisely invested, and besides his interest in the general hat store. he owned a large amount of bank stock, several valuable buildings in Lebanon, and had interests in other city enterprises. As a superior business man he was made president of the Valley National Bank, and for over fifty years, from the time of its organization, he served as treasurer of the Perseverance Fire Insurance Company.
Acturn Rise
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Mr. Rise was a Democrat, and wielded a strong influence in local politics. Fraternally he belonged to the F. & A. M. for fifty-five years, and to the I. O. O. F. for fifty-seven years. Personally he was remarkably well pre- served, and his mind was keen and active. Honesty of purpose, courage and energy were impressed upon his countenance and emanated from his move- ments and attitudes, impressing the beholder with reverence and respect. That he was a power in his community was evident even to casual observers. In religious connection he was a member of the Reformed Church.
JACOB L. RISE, active member of the firm of A. Rise & Son, possesses many traits characteristic of his father, and seems to be quite as successful in business, a large share of the progress made by the firm in recent years having been due to his wise management. As a young man he served valiantly in the Civil war for a full term of enlistment, as a member of Company E, One Hundred and Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and was in the battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville; he was discharged in May, 1863. He married Lizzie Alwine, of Lebanon, who died leaving three daughters, Julia, Rebecca and Catherine. Mr. Rise, like his father, is a Democrat. Fraternally he is a Mason in good standing. As a business man he is generous and honorable in all his dealings, and he has a host of warmn friends.
HIRAM L. ILLIG, the present recorder of Lebanon county, was born July 24, 1846, son of Jonathan and Eliza ( Ramler) Illig.
The family is one of the oldest in the section, and the Pennsylvania branches were founded by Andreas Illig, who came originally from the Palati- nate, Germany. He and his wife sailed from Rotterdam, on the good ship "Molley," John Hodgesen, master, in 1727, and landed in Philadelphia Sep- tember 30th of that year. The parcelling out of the fertile Millbach valley, de- cided Mr. Illig to locate in that region, and soon after his arrival he settled upon the farm now occupied by his descendants, Hiram L. and Andrew S. Illig. The present occupants have in their possession the original deed, written on parchment, dated 1727, and bearing the signatures of William, Thomas and Richard Penn, under the seal of Great Britain. Andreas Illig cleared up his new land, and there made a comfortable home for himself and family. He and his wife Dorothy had two children: Leonard, who is mentioned below ; and a daughter, who married a Mr. Scholl. Andreas Illig died May 14, 1758.
Leonard Illig (I) succeeded to his father's estate, and there made a good home, making many improvements upon the work of his predecessor.
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During his young manhood he married and among his children were three sons, Leonard (2), John and Simon, and a daughter, who married a Mr. Reed. He served in the war of the Revolution. His death occurred December 23, 1797.
Leonard Illig (2), upon reaching manhood, settled tipon the home farm and there engaged in agriculture. As a progressive farmer he made improve- ments on the old place, among his additions being the old mansion still to be seen there. During his young manhood he married Catherine Wechter, and they had three children : Jonathan, who is mentioned below; Leonard, who never married; and Elizabeth, who became the wife of Jacob Schoch. He died February 2, 1836.
Jonathan Illig was born in 1806, and was reared on the family home- stead. Upon reaching manhood he turned his attention to farming. following same in Millcreek township. In 1837 Mr. Illig married Eliza Ramler, who was born in Heidelberg township. daughter of Christian Ramler, who served in the war of 1812. He was elected sheriff of Lebanon county, in 1840. To Mr. and Mrs. Illig were born nine children, seven of whom grew to maturity : Mary, who married George Seltzer, of Lebanon City; Elias R., a miller and farmer of Millbach; Elizabeth, who married Capt. J. G. Baddorff, who is the present treasurer of Lebanon county: Jonathan C .. of Reading, Pa .; Hiram L., who is mentioned below: Andrew S., of Richland; and Thomas B., who is in partnership with his brother Jonathan C., in the dry goods business in Reading.
After his marriage Mr. Illig settled upon the homestead farm in Mill- creek township, and followed agriculture. He lived to the age of fifty-seven, dying in 1862. He was prominently identified with the Evangelical Lutheran church at Millbach, where he is buried.
Hiram L. Illig was reared in Millcreek township. In the free schools of his vicinity, and Fremount Seminary, Norristown, Pa., he was educated. Upon leaving school he taught eight consecutive terms in the public school at Millbach, in Lebanon county.
In November, 1875. Mr. Illig married Clara Gernant, of Leesport, and they have two children : Charles L., residing in Pottsville, Pa .; and Latira G., who is living at home.
After his marriage Mr. Illig settled upon the homestead farm in Mill- creek township, and continued his agricultural pursuits, which he has steadily followed for the last twenty-seven years. Mr. Illig has always been a man of many interests, especially active in public affairs, and has served as school director for twenty-five years, a place which he is still filling. On November
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4, 1902, through the esteem of his fellow citizens he was elected county recorder, and is now performing the duties of the office. Of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church of Millbach, he has served as deacon four years and trustee since 1886. He is the possessor of a collection of local specimens of Indian relics, numbering over twelve thousand ( 12,000), together with typical specimens from all over the United States. Politically he affiliates with the Republicans.
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WILLIAM MOORE GUILFORD, M. D. Among the prominent and representative citizens of Lebanon county is Dr. William Moore Guilford, a well known and highly esteemed physician of the city of Lebanon, where he was born November 26, 1832, a son of Simeon and Catherine E. (Doll) Guilford. He comes of Revolutionary ancestry, his grandfather, Simeon Guilford, having served for a period of six years in the Revolutionary army.
Simeon Guilford (2), son of Simeon and father of William M., was for many years prominently identified with the iron business of Pennsylvania, and won public approval as a skilled and reliable civil engineer. He was born in 1801-the same year that witnessed the birth of so many who later became distinguished in various walks of life-in Northampton, Hampshire Co., Mass .. and from the age of fourteen years displayed those solid traits of character which the country accepts as distinctively associated with New England ancestry and environment. Previous to 1823 he had become skilled enough in his profession to be engaged as one of the civil engineers on the Erie Canal, which was then in course of construction, later in the same year coming to Pennsylvania, where he became principal assistant to Canvas White, who was the chief engineer of the Union Canal. Mr. Guilford was too good an engineer himself to be blind to the advantages which he could not avoid seeing would result from the location of a different route from that already selected by Mr. White. Mr. Guilford was able to prove that the route of his selection would diminish the cost of the work, by affording a better water supply by diminishing the waste of water or leakage occasioned by the interstitial character of the limestone region. He was also able to provide a superior hydraulic cement, manufactured from an argillaceous limestone, which he had discovered on the line of the work, and its use in this connection saved the company many thousands of dollars. In conse- quence of this important service rendered the company, he was presented by them with a set of Ree's Cyclopedia, of forty-six volumes, and this gift was accompanied by complimentary resolutions.
In 1827 Mr. Guilford accepted the appointment of principal engineer in
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the service of the State, which was tendered him by the State Board of Com- missioners. His first work in that connection was the survey of the route for a canal from Clark's ferry on the Susquehanna river to Northumberland, and in the short space embraced between May 31 and June 26, 1827, he surveyed both sides of the river, locating, platting, estimating and reporting seventy-nine miles of canal, besides side lines, alterations, etc., amounting to fifteen miles more, and also determining the locality of a dam of 2,200 feet, across the river, near Sunbury ; a bridge of the same dimensions at Duncan's Island; and a dam and inlet lock at the mouth of Penn's creek, at Selinsgrove. Before leaving the line he was tendered, by the citizens and contractors, a public dinner, at which he was presented with a pair of silver pitchers, appro- priately inscribed.
On various occasions Mr. Guilford was called upon to make surveys, locate and render estimates of proposed improvements, his judgment and accuracy having won general confidence. Among the important enterprises of this kind were : The locks and dams on the Conestoga river and the Cohoes creek ; a similar work on the Rancocas creek, N. J. ; and on the canal and reser- voir at Beaver, Ohio.
Between 1825 and 1832, Mr. Guilford discovered the celebrated Chest- nut Hill iron ore, on the Greider farm, near Columbia, Pa., which he owned for some years, also three other fine deposits of hematite ore, in Lebanon county, and others of less importance. In 1830-31, in partnership with the late Dr. George N. Eckert, he erected in the Swatara Valley, in Schuylkill county, the "Swatara Furnace" for the manufacture of iron by charcoal, and here pig iron and such castings as stoves, water pipes, etc., were pro- duced in large quantities, this establishment remaining in operation for twenty years. In 1853, for sundry reasons, the partnership was dissolved, and the works abandoned. In 1855, in connection with other capitalists, Mr. Guil- ford started a blast furnace at Lebanon, making use of anthracite coal as a fuel. This was known as the Dudley Furnace and use was made of the Corn- wall ore.
After retiring from the iron business, Mr. Guilford devoted his atten- tion for many years to his property interests in Shelbyville, Ottawa and Chatsworth, Ill. In politics he was very prominent in the Whig party, and was its candidate for canal commissioner in 1843, failing of election on account of conditions which resulted in the defeat of the whole Whig party.
In May, 1830, Mr. Guilford was married to Catherine E. Doll, a niece of Judge Andrew Groff, of Lancaster. Three children of their family survive, namely : Dr. William M., of Lebanon ; Dr. S. H., a dentist in Philadelphia ;
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and Robert E., a successful merchant in Shelbyville, Ill. Mrs. Guilford died October 8, 1850. Her husband survived her many years, his death occurring in 1894, at the age of ninety-three years.
William M. Guilford was fashioned by nature for a physician. His early ambitions were all in the line of medicine, and after finishing a general and classical course of study at Lebanon Academy, in his native city, at the early age of sixteen years he commenced its serious study under Prof. Henry Childs, of Berkshire Medical College, at Pittsfield, Mass. In 1849 he attended a course of lectures in that institution, and also a course in the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City. Upon his return to Lebanon he entered the office of John W. Gloninger, as a student, subsequently attending two full courses of lectures in the Medical Department of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in April, 1852. Dr. Guil- ford spent the winter of 1852-53 in gaining valuable experience in walking the hospitals of Philadelphia, and in the meantime attended the lectures in Parish's School of Practical Pharmacy, in that city.
Thus qualified, Dr. Guilford located, in November. 1854, in his native city, and entered upon a practice which has been eminently successful, and which has made his name almost a household word through Lebanon and its environs. Since 1854 his faithful service and trained skill have been devoted to this locality.
Aside from his vocation Dr. Guilford has been a prominent factor in the progress and development of Lebanon, and has been connected at various times with many of the leading financial enterprises of the city. He was one of the founders of and a director in the Farmers and Mechanics Bank, a director in the Lebanon National Bank, the Lebanon Trust & Safe Deposit Bank, the Lebanon Manufacturing Co., and other organizations.
Dr. Guilford has always been pleasantly associated with his brother physicians. He is a member of the Lebanon County Medical Society, of which he was president in 1892 ; of the Medical Society of the State of Pennsyl- vania, being a member of its board of censors; of the American Medical Asso- ciation ; was president of the board of pension examiners in 1870; has been president of the medical staff of the Good Samaritan Hospital since 1889 and visiting physician of the same; was consulting physician to the Pennsyl- vania State Asylum for the Chronic Insane in 1894-1903, and has been vice- president of its consulting staff since 1894; was president of the city board of health in 1887-88; is one of the censors of the Medico-Chirurgical College of Philadelphia; in 1863 was second lieutenant of the Lebanon County Emergency Company ; was one of the examining surgeons for the Ninety-
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third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, prior to its muster into the service for the Civil war; and for fifteen successive years was appointed by the directors of the poor as physician to the County Hospital. To those who can appreciate the duties attendant upon so many public offices of responsibility, it has been a matter of wonder that Dr. Guilford has so efficiently performed every duty, and in the meantime given careful and conscientious attention to an absorbing practice.
On November 12, 1856, Dr. Guilford was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of John Elder, and great-granddaughter of Rev. John Elder, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, and for sixty years pastor of Paxton Presbyterian Church, where he was ordained December 21, 1738. Four of the sons of Rev. John Elder were officers in the Revolutionary army. The mother of Mrs. Guilford was Jane Henderson Richie, a native of Dauphin county, Pa. To Dr. and Mrs. Guilford were born the following children : Jane Richie, who is the wife of John Hurst, of Syracuse, N. Y. ; William Moore, Jr., B. S. ( Haverford College, 1890) ; Paul, M. D. (University of Pennsyl- vania, 1891) ; Adaline E .; and Arthur B.
JOHN J. BOWMAN, one of the progressive and leading business men of Myerstown, Pa., who was born and reared in that town, is the only son of Moses L. and Mary (Muth) Bowman, the former of whom is deceased, his wife surviving and making her home in Myerstown.
Moses L. Bowman was born July 12, 1825, anad died at his home in Myerstown, September 27, 1901, having been one of the most successful merchants of Myerstown, where he had been in business for half a century. He was a son of Jacob Bowman, a farmer of Lebanon county, located near Palmyra, Pa .. and was a member of one of the old and prominent families of that locality, his forefathers having emigrated from Switzerland and set- tled in Lebanon county in its early days. Jacob Bowman was the father of the following children : Jacob C., Moses L., John M., Sallie (deceased), Fannie and Carolina. Moses L. Bowman left the farm when a boy of four- teen years, and commenced clerking in the store of David Bowman, of Lebanon, which stood on the present site of the Ross Drug Company, of that city. He later went into business for himself, and was very successful. On May 20, 1852, he married Miss Mary Muth, of Myerstown, a daughter of John and Mary (Zimmerman) Muth, of that place, and John J. Bowman was the only child of this marriage. Starting out in life a poor boy, by his industry and thrift Moses L. Bowman became one of Myerstown's wealthiest and most influential men. For more than half a century he owned and
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operated one of the largest mercantile firms, and at the time of his death he owned a fine farm, beautiful residence, excellent and large stock of goods, and a good storehouse. In politics, he was a stanch Republican, and was active in local affairs, but never sought or desired office. In the Reformed Church he was long one of its most liberal supporters and earnest members, and held various official positions in the same. In his untimely taking away, Myerstown lost one of its best citizens, and he has bequeathed to his descend- ants an untarnished name and the influence of a true. upright life. This influence reaches beyond the term of his own existence, and is such as to stimulate others to high and noble deeds. His wife was a member of a large family of children, all of whom grew to maturity : William, Jefferson, Cyrus, Franklin, Edward, Amanda, Mary, Amelia, Harriet and Katherine. The Muth family is an old and well known one of Lebanon county.
John J. Bowman was educated in the public schools of Myerstown, the Palatinate College of Myerstown and the Franklin and Marshall College of Lancaster, Pa. After leaving college he went into his father's store and is now conducting this large establishment, which is prospering greatly under his able management. The old, reliable and strictly honorable methods which gained it such repute with the trade in the past, are continued, and Mr. Bowman is decidedly one of the leading merchants of Lebanon county.
On January 19, 1893, Mr. Bowman married Lizzie A. Loose, of Beth- lehem, Pa., daughter of Rev. Isaac and Catherine Loose, the former a minister of the Reformed Church of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman have had three children : The eldest, a son, was still born ; those living are Clafflin L. and Mary Katherine. Mr. Bowman is a stanch Republican in his political affilia- tions, while both he and Mrs. Bowman are earnest and active workers in the Reformed Church. They are both very highly esteemed and take an important part in the social life of Myerstown, where both are so well and favorably known, and none more richly deserve the success which has attended their efforts.
JOHN YOUNG (deceased) was born in Lehigh county, Pa., February 6, 1824, son of Jacob and Catherine Young, of the same county. John Young was reared on the farm, and received his education in the country schools. He learned the printer's trade when a young man, under his brother Joseph's direction, in Montgomery county, and afterward did newspaper work in several counties in Pennsylvania, locating in Lebanon about 1850. He published a paper, the Pennsylvanier, for three years. In 1850 he changed the name to Volksscitung, meaning, in English, the people's paper. This he
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conducted with success until 1885, when he sold out to Frank F. Hauck, who is the present editor.
Mr. Young married Miss Elizabeth Rolland. and they had two children, one of whom reached maturity, Ella M., the wife of Dr. Frank M. Brundage, who represents the United States at Aix-la-chapelle. Germany, as a consul for his government. His second marriage, on July 10, 1862, was to Miss Mary Ann Reinhart, of Bethel township, Lebanon county, Pa., who still lives in Lebanon. She was born March 14, 1839, daughter of Oliver and Hannah Reinhart, of Lebanon county, the former of whom was a farmer and teacher. Mrs. Young was one of a family of nine children, of whom grew up: Catherine, the wife of Emanuel Behney, of Schuylkill county, Pa .; Sarah Ellen, the wife of William Johnson, of Schuylkill: Mary Ann. the widow of John Young; and Ephraim, who was killed in the Civil war. The Reinharts are one of the old families of Lebanon.
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